Patents by Inventor Robert A. Nagelkirk

Robert A. Nagelkirk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5288045
    Abstract: A chair base is constructed by stamping straps (16) from low carbon sheet stock, securing pairs of straps to a central hub (10) in parallel relation to one another to radiate outwardly from the central hub, and coating the straps and hub with a polyvinyl chloride coating (50). A caster socket block (20) may be secured between the two straps of each pair at an outer end (18) thereof. The central hub (10) and the caster sockets (20) may be covered by plastic shells (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Edwards, Robert A. Nagelkirk
  • Patent number: 5249768
    Abstract: A chair base is constructed by stamping straps (16) from low carbon sheet stock, securing pairs of straps to a central hub (10) in parallel relation to one another to radiate outwardly from the central hub, and coating the straps and hub with a polyvinyl chloride coating (50). A caster socket block (20) may be secured between the two straps of each pair at an outer end (18) thereof. The central hub (10) and the caster sockets (20) may be covered by plastic shells (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Edwards, Robert A. Nagelkirk
  • Patent number: 5244253
    Abstract: A chair having a base, a seat support member, a seat, and a height adjustable mechanism is disclosed. The height adjustable mechanism includes a vertically extendable and compressible gas spring having a pin located at the upper end of the spring. The pin operates a valve integrated in the gas spring so that the effective length of the spring is adjustable when the pin is depressed. An elongated actuating rod is mounted to the seat support member transversely of the gas spring. A lever is pivotably mounted to the seat support member between the actuating rod and the pin. The lever is pivotable to and between a first position where the pin is depressed for adjustment of the height of the seat and a second position where the pin is not depressed. Upon rotation of the actuating rod, the pin is depressed and thereby vertically moves the seat relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Hollington, Lynne M. Allen, Robert A. Nagelkirk, Mark E. Kuyper
  • Patent number: 5192114
    Abstract: A chair comprises a base, a column on the base, a housing on the column and supporting a chair seat and back, a height adjustment means mounted to and between the base and the housing for longitudinal adjustment to alter relative height of the seat. The chair also includes a tilt adjustment means comprising a chair back support means pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between upright and reclining positions, means for biasing the chair back support means in the upright position, tension control means movably engageable with the biasing means for adjusting tension thereof and tilt actuating means movably mounted to the housing for actuating movement of the tension control means. The tilt actuating means comprises an elongated rod rotatably mounted to the housing. The height actuating means comprises an elongated tube rotatably mounted to the housing in telescopic relationship to the actuating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Hollington, Robert A. Nagelkirk, Lynne M. Allen, Mark E. Kuyper
  • Patent number: 5106157
    Abstract: A chair comprises a base, a column on the base, a housing on the column and supporting a chair seat and back, a height adjustment mechanism mounted to and between the base and the housing for longitudinal adjustment to alter relative height of the seat. The chair also includes a tilt adjustment mechanism comprising a chair back support pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between upright and reclining positions, a member for biasing the chair back support in the upright position, a tension control mechanism movably engageable with the biasing member for adjusting tension thereof and a tilt actuating member movably mounted to the housing for actuating movement of the tension control mechanism. The tilt actuating member comprises an elongated rod rotatably mounted to the housing. The height actuating member comprises an elongated tube rotatably mounted to the housing in telescopic relationship to the actuating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nagelkirk, Lynne M. Allen, Mark E. Kuyper
  • Patent number: 4320935
    Abstract: A horizontal rail assembly (10) on which a plurality of storage components (50) are hung is secured between vertical support members (34). The rail (10) carries hanger clips (24) which secure the rail in place on vertical supports. Flanges (32) on the clips are received by the vertical support members (34) to install the rail 10 at the desired height. The clips (24) are slightly loaded in tension between the rail (10) and the vertical members (34) to provide for a secure fit. The support system is provided with a cam surface (19) and screws (40), (42) for adjusting the angular orientation of the rail to level the storage components (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Nagelkirk